Arrest Made In 2003 Bayfield County Cold Case Killing

Prosecutors say a former vice chairman of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa has confessed to killing a tribal employee in 2003.

Fifty-five-year-old Michael LaGrew is charged with first-degree intentional homicide in the death of Jody Ricard. A criminal complaint says the 50-year-old Washburn woman was bludgeoned to death and her body was found hidden along a dead-end road 11 days later.

Authorities say LaGrew told police this week he argued with Ricard after he told her he was going to fire her and that she threatened to hire an attorney.

They say LaGrew said he struck Ricard with a trailer jack. Court records do not list an attorney for LaGrew.

TV station KBJR in Duluth published a statement from the Red Cliff Band:

“First and foremost, the Tribe once again extends its deepest sympathies to the Ricard family. The Tribe is grateful to the hard work of all law enforcement involved in this case, including the Red Cliff Police Department, Bayfield County Sherriff’s Department, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Bayfield County District Attorney.”